Page 69 of The Highlander's Pirate Bride

Raven finally looked up. It was clear to Aileen that Raven was afraid. Her eyes were wide, and her lower lip trembled. Her hands were wringing the fabric of her gown as if to somehow rid herself of something odious.

“’Tis worse than we feared.” Her voice was little more than a whisper. “Sutherland is at Canna.”

Aileen sucked in a breath, feeling a stabbing pain in her belly. This could only mean one thing: Sutherland was planning an attack on Barra. He would never have left his own domain if he was not intending to make war.

She glanced at Maxwell, who was rubbing his chin, saying nothing.

“What other tidings did our messengers bring?”

Arne went on. “He is assembling his fleet of birlinns and he has many men who have sailed with him.” He shook his head. “There’s more. He demands we hand the lady Aileen to him, and from what our men could gather, he wishes tae take Everard and Maxwell as his prisoners.”

Maxwell pshawed. “There are nay surprises there. I’d expect nothing less from the swine. He’s been thwarted nae once, nae twice, but three times. His fury would ken nae bounds.”

Raven spoke again. “Aye. Ye’re right, his actions are what we anticipated. There is one bright spark in this, however.”

Aileen looked up. Her head was reeling with this grim news. It was, indeed, unheard of for Sutherland to leave his own lands. Clearly, his need for vengeance was outweighing his usual caution.

“If he is vowing to make a prisoner of Everard and Maxwell, we can be certain he has nae succeeded in capturing Everard and believes the laird is here wi’ us at Kiessimul. That gives me hope our braither will be with us again before long.”

It was only now that Aileen spoke. “Aye. Ye’re correct in yer deduction, milady. If he had already captured Everard yer men would surely have heard tell of it. If he is vowing vengeance on both yer braithers, it can only mean Everard has evaded him. And that his anger I making him throw caution tae the wind.”

Maxwell folded his arms. “I say we begin preparing fer Sutherland’s men. Our castle has met sieges before this day. Bring in supplies, alert the fisherfolk tae be on watch fer any strangers that may enter our waters.” He gave an impatient huff. “One thing we can be certain of is that Sutherland is nay yet ready to attack. If his fleet were already assembled and all his men on the Isle of Canna, he wouldnae wait. We would be under attack even as we speak.”

Arne spoke up. “Braither, can ye come tae the study where ye can lay out for me all ye ken about Sutherland’s strength.”

Maxwell glanced at Aileen. “I believe the lass can tell us more. She kens Andrew Sutherland’s ways as well as anyone.”

Nodding her head, Aileen got to her feet. “I’ll gladly tell ye what I ken about the man. But, will ye pardon me awhile. This news has made my head swim and I would like tae walk alone tae clear me thoughts.” Glancing at Maxwell she saw he was frowning, yet she needed to think over the news on her own.

Maxell nodded. “Aye, lass. I understand.” His voice was gentle. Indeed, Maxwell alone understood her fears for her father and for her friends.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Aileen curtseyed low to Raven and Arne, wrapped herself in her cloak, and left the solar, retracing the steps she’d taken yesterday with Maxwell up to the battlements.

The breeze whipped around her, catching her coppery tresses and sweeping them around her face. Pulling back her hair and braiding it loosely she gazed across the bay and focused her eyes on the open sea. Out there was her old home, the Isle of Canna. And there, like an avenging beast, waited the Laird Andrew Sutherland. A block of ice dropped into her belly, freezing her bones and the blood in her veins.

Despite the brave words spoken by Arne and Maxwell, she was under no illusion that they could prevail against Sutherland’s might. His army numbered many men, all of them hardened fighters, while the MacNeils were few in comparison. Sutherland had a fleet of fast-sailing birlinns, including her own, making any escape by sea an impossibility.

She chewed on a fingernail, biting down hard enough to break the skin. She ignored the sting and the drop of blood. The trouble brewing was all her fault.

If not for her kidnapping Maxwell and escaping from Dunrobin, Sutherland would not be there. By her actions she had led him there. Now, it seemed, there was no avoiding the clan war that was to come. Lives would be lost needlessly because of her actions.

And what of her father!? Did he still live, or had Sutherland wreaked his vengeance on the defenseless old man? She hugged her arms around herself, tears burning behind her eyes.

I should never have left me faither behind in the clutches of a fiend.

She shook her head, loosening her braid so that her hair swarmed around her face. Berating herself would do no good. What choice had she had? If she’d stayed, Maxwell’s death would have been laid at her door. The choice had been between Maxwell’s life and her father’s.

Her thoughts shot back to their farewell. Her father had urged her escape, understanding her servitude and everything it entailed. Yet, if Sutherland believed she had been taken against her will surely, he’d have spared Barclay MacAlpin’s life.

Consoling herself with the thought that Sutherland would have kept her father alive if for no other reason than to use as leverage against her and force her return to Dunrobin, she turned backto the stairs, a plan forming in her mind. Her heart leapt like a frightened deer as the idea took hold.

She would return to Sutherland and beg him to leave the people of Clan MacNeil in peace.

Raven looked up with concerned eyes when Aileen re-entered the solar. The men were nowhere to be seen. Thorsten was sleeping peacefully by the fire, his ever-watchful nursemaid by his side.

“Sit down, Aileen. Ye’re very pale.” She nodded to the servant-girl who stood by the door. “Please bring a peppermint tisane fer the lady Aileen.” Turning to Aileen, she looked her up and down. “I fear this latest news doesnae sit well wi’ ye.”

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